Smartphone uptake creates opportunities for operators in Germany

The expansion of high-speed broadband deployment and growth in smartphone uptake in Germany offers operators an opportunity to consider expanding their service portfolio to IT solutions, according to a report from Pyramid Research.

“Currently three mobile operators offer commercial LTE services, focusing their investment on expanding the coverage across the country,” says Pyramid Research Analyst, Olena Kaplan. In 2011, LTE uptake lagged due to the regulatory obligation of LTE coverage in so-called white spot areas, and a lack of tablet and smartphone devices. As of now, operators do not plan to add a prepaid option for LTE, and this is expected to inhibit LTE growth in the short term. However, with operators expanding their LTE–enabled device portfolio, and services reaching urban areas, Pyramid expects LTE adoption to accelerate next year to reach 3 per cent of all SIMs (3.6 million), rising further to 19 per cent (26.5 million) by 2017, she notes.